<b>19th Century Shop:</b> Charles Darwin on sexuality and the transmission of hereditary characteristics: Autograph Letter Signed to Lawson Tait. Down, 17 January [1877].

<b>19th Century Shop:</b> MILTON, JOHN. <i>Paradise Lost. A Poem written in ten books.</i> London: 1667. A very rare example with the contemporary binding untouched and with a 1667 title page.

<b>19th Century Shop:</b> Hamilton secures the ratification of the Constitution: <i>The Debates and Proceedings of the Convention of the State of New-York, assembled at Poughkeespsie, on the 17th June, 1788.</i>

<b>19th Century Shop:</b> The social contract “Man is born free, and everywhere he is in chains”: ROUSSEAU, JEAN-JACQUES. <i>Principes du Droit Politique [Du Contract Social]</i>. Amsterdam: Michel Rey, 1762

<b>19th Century Shop:</b> “The first English textbook on geometrical land-measurement and surveying”: BENESE, RICHARD. <i>This Boke Sheweth the Maner of Measurynge All Maner of Lande…</i>

Rare Book Monthly

Trifecta in Beverly Hills

- by Bruce E. McKinney

The Jerry Weist Collection

Heritage Auctions is holding three auctions in Beverly Hills in mid-September and each of them will be of interest to those who covet valuable paper:

On Monday, September 12thThe Jerry Weist Collection of 20th century books and book-related art with an emphasis on monsters, science fiction and fantasy; with an online session later on the 12th and continuing on Tuesday the 13th with over 1,000 lots each opening bidding at $1.

On Tuesday the 13th the Historical Manuscripts & Autographs floor auction will take place; with an online session on Wednesday the 14th.

On the afternoon of the 13thRare Books. With an online session in the afternoon of Wednesday the 14th.

Three elaborate color catalogues have been prepared. For most items the bidding begins at half of the low estimate.

The firm held its first Beverly Hills sale in February 2010 and has been steadily building a west coast clientele. This past year Heritage also opened a gallery in New York. The company runs auctions across a wide range of collectibles, has an enormous following and a common accounting system that permits Heritage members to bid and buy in any of their categories and bid electronically at any location.

Here is a description of these sales.

The Jerry Weist Collection is very 20th century. It’s books and paperbacks, art and illustration with the focus on fantasy. It’s an important single owner sale and is offered with very reasonable estimates.

Edward E. Smith, Ph.D. The History of Civilization:Triplanetary, First Lensman, Galactic Patrol, Gray Lensman, Second Stage Lensmen, Children of the Lens. Reading, Pennsylvania: Fantasy Press, Inc., 1955. Special six-volume set in the publisher's rare original red cardboard box (no lid). Number 37 of 75 sets signed and inscribed in the first volume and signed by the author in the remaining volumes on a limitation page bound into each volume.

Rare Book Monthly

<b>Collections Aristophil, Dec. 20:</b> SAINT-EXUPERY, ANTOINE DE. Kodachrome Film (16mm) showing Antoine de Saint-Exupery and Consuelo on a boat, 1942. JOINED: Guestbook for the Boat, signed, with a drawing of the Little Prince. 15 000 to 20 000 €

<b>Collections Aristophil, Dec. 20:</b> CANDEE, HELEN CHURCHILL. Autograph manuscript. TITANIC, 40 leaves. Original account of the most famous shipwreck, by a survivor of the ordeal. 300 000 to 400 000 €

<b>Collections Aristophil, Dec. 20:</b> DUPLEIX DE CADIGNAN, JEANBAPTISTE. Signed autograph manuscript. Thirty years of memoirs related to military services and important information on the American War of Independence.<br>40 000 to 50 000 €

<b>Bloomsbury Auctions: Books and Works on Paper, including Fine Photographs. December 14, 2017</b>

<b>Bloomsbury, Dec. 14:</b> Rowling (J.K.). Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, original fine black pen and ink manuscript book by the author J.K.Rowling, with 31pp of text and illustrations. £80,000 to £120,000